![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] The senior football players at Cabrini High School are good friends according to Kyle O’Boyle who plays defensive end and offensive guard. His senior friends on the team include Jackson Stanley, Logan Heath, Ben Beluzo, Damien King and Jonas Rahas. “I love the sport of football,” O’Boyle said. “I think we are doing ok (this season).” He has had some good memories but one stands out. “Last year in the playoffs against Richard I had a 25 yard reception,” he said. “It deflected off another receiver.” His favorite teacher is Ms. Hastings who teaches history and economics. His favorite coach is Mike Kosh the linebacker and running back coach. “I love hanging out with friends, movies and video games,” he said. “ I also like traveling and the beach.” He has been to Panama, California, Mexico, Florida and New York. Kyle plans to go to Schoolcraft or Henry Ford for college. He is not sure what he will study. His mother Cathy is a flight attendant and his father is Robert. He has an older brother named Robert. Monarch coach Brian O’Brycki likes his young player. “This team has some great young men,” O’Brycki said. ”They are a good group of kids, polite and brought up right. I am going to miss them.” Kyle’s favorite NFL player is safety Harrison Smith who plays for his favorite team the Vikings. His advice for young players is strong. “Make sure you work hard and go to practice,” he said. “Ask a lot of questions.”
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By Jim Jacek
One of Maple Heights newest residents is one of Allen Park’s oldest residents. Claude Freeburn moved into Maple Heights Retirement Community on Allen Road on September 28. He turned 104 on August 31 (born in 1915). Claude went to South Lake High School in St. Clair Shores. Before his move, he lived in Dearborn since 1952, and worked for a tool and die shop in Melvindale as a welder. His hobbies included boating, bowling, and dancing. He has visited all 50 states. Claude was married to Lois for 78 years, until she passed away in 2016 at the age of 99. He has two daughters, Judy Cole and Bonnie Gerrity . He also has one grandson (Patrick Gerrity) and one granddaughter (Kelly Cole) and a great granddaughter (Annabel). Claude’s first car was a 1930 Model A Coupe with a rumble seat, and the regular price for gas was 8 gallons for a dollar. ![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] The Allen Park Community and St. Francis Cabrini has one heck of a reason to celebrate. 2008 Cabrini graduate and University of Michigan 2012 graduate and alumni, Amanda Chidester has made the 2020 United States Olympic Softball team. “I found out I made the team Sunday October 6th at 8:30am central time,” Chidester said. “This was the last thing on my softball to do list. I played at my dream college, I played in Japan, Italy, and Argentina, I played in the NPF, and now I will play on the highest stage of softball: The Olympics. The second I made the team in 2012 I held on hope that it would get back in the Olympics and I would have a shot. The moment is finally here and I am speechless. There are so many emotions from the last 4 years.” Her parents and family were elated. “They are extremely proud. I think we are all having trouble finding words for how we feel,” she commented. “There are so many different emotions. My journey took a different route to get to this point, but it made this moment even better. They have all supported me from day one. It has been one heck of a ride.” She was surprised when she found out. “I was in my hotel room on the couch,” she said. “We were told an email would be sent out at 8:30amCT. Let’s just say it wasn’t the best night of sleep! When 8:25 hit my heart was pounding out of my chest. I had knots in my stomach. I have never had any of those feelings to that extreme before! At 8:29 all I was doing was refreshing my email, at least 20 times. It finally came through. I clicked on the attachment and I saw my name. Hannah Flippen was my roommate and she came out and we gave each other the biggest hug ever. My body was shaking and I just went limp in her arms. “We did it” is what we kept saying. Hannah and I went on the journey together in 2018 and I am ecstatic it will continue. The whole day I had the anxious tightness in my chest, like I just wanted to scream. It still hasn’t completely settled in. So many emotions ran through me all at once and I had no idea what to do with them. These next few days I will be able to process them all and hopefully find some words to describe “all the emotions” I keep referring to.” Amanda will play catcher and first base for the USA. The games begin in July of 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. She will be excited for some time. “I am so proud but so exhausted. These days have been such a whirlwind,” she said. “I am excited to be home and really digest the last 8 days and the last 5 years leading up to this.” They have training camp with the team possibly in November and December. Still finalizing the funding to get the team together. “All the in between time I will continue to do my own training,” she said. We start the tour January 30. We have a tour stop June 8-11 in Lansing and Midland Michigan! Mark your calendars all you Michigan softball fans!!” Assistant AD of Cabrini and Softball Coach Debbie Norman had this to add about Chidester: “We, at Cabrini, are all very proud of Amanda's accomplishment. It has been her dream and despite some setbacks, Amanda continues to pursue her softball career. Amanda has been a great role model for all of our young athletes. What makes her special is that she has always shared her knowledge with younger athletes and gives back to the sport she loves. Go Chiddy!” By Dave Merchant [email protected]
The Melvindale football team has been struggling this season. Despite the struggle they have some talented players on the team. Senior Ali Hassan Siddiqui is one of those such talented individuals. “I like to play football, cricket and basketball,” Ali said. “In football I play wide receiver, slot, inside linebacker, outside linebacker and corner.” He has had some memorable moments in football. “I remember last year, week 4, we played Carlson High School and I had the best hit in the game,” he said. “That is when I got the hit stick. It was the greatest moment of my life.” His favorite class is Math. His favorite teacher is Mr. Knezek he said he inspired him to be the greatest and never give up, “I like each coach equally because they all help me out in certain ways,” he said. “When I have free time, I play video games. It is a lot of fun and it helps me release stress.” The person he looks up to the most is in his family. “My mom, Farida Siddiqui, is my idol and I look up to her a lot,” he said. “I respect her a lot because she is the reason that I am able to do things that I have never done before. She is my motivation and everything.” In the future he plans to keep pushing himself to do things he never has. He also plans to be successful. ![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] Allen Park Jag senior golfer Olivia Waldus shines as a golfer: actually, a number one golfer on her team. She has been Team Captain, and number one golfer on Varsity since 9th grade. Her favorite subject is Math and her favorite teachers are Mrs.Peschke, Mr.Seasock, and Mr.Victor. Brad Cruts is her favorite coach. The classes she likes are Parenting, Foods, Government, and Personal Finance. “Working out, going out with friends, skiing, and trying new foods are my hobbies,” she said. Her parents are Albert Waldus and Christine Waldus. “My plan is to go to Henry Ford College in Dearborn, MI,” she said. “I would like to study in the field of Health and Human Services.” Her awards which are exceptional include 110% Award in Sophomore and Junior years, All-League, All-Academic in Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, All-League Top 10 all four years, Qualified for Girls’ Varsity Golf Regionals in Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, and played in every varsity match and tournament all four years. Her advice for younger players is strong: “My advice for younger players would be to just enjoy the moment and go out as strong as you can,” she said. “I would also say to keep your head up and continue to work hard on your goals and accomplishments.” By Jim Jacek
Allen Park has a new full time firefighter. Travis Tomey (center) was sworn in at the city council meeting on September 24 by Chief Douglas LaFond (left) and Deputy Chief Ed Cann (right). ![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] Allen Park senior Gwen Ruetz is talented and smart. She has skills and brains. She plays volleyball and tennis for the high school. Her positions on the courts are Volleyball: middle hitter, Tennis: 1-doubles. Big moments are no surprise for this young athlete. “Beating our two biggest rivalries in volleyball, Trenton and Woodhaven, at home,” Gwen said. Her favorite subject is Math and her favorite teachers are Mr. Brown, Mr. Dunlap, and Mr. Hoover. “My favorite coaches are Coach Bozman, Coach Riggs, and Coach Dunlap,” she said. “My favorite classes are AP Calculus and Jag Journal. Her hobbies include traveling, shopping and spending time with family and friends. Gwen’s parents are Nicole Ruetz and Adam Ruetz. Her beloved sister is Daelin Ruetz. Future plans loom large for this young scholar athlete. “I am going to attend a Big Ten University, my first 4 choices are University of Michigan, Purdue University, University of Illinois, and University of Wisconsin,” she announced. “I plan to major in marketing and hope to have a career in the marketing industry focusing on either fashion or sports. I also plan to get married, and have children, while continuing my career.” Awards include All-League Academic for volleyball, league and district champs of the 2018 season. She also won the 110% award for volleyball. She is the captain of the Varsity Volleyball and Tennis team. For tennis she was All-League and All-League Academic. For 1 doubles, her teams were League champs, district champs, regional champs, and state qualifiers. Gwen also received MVP for tennis. Her words of advice for younger athletes hold true. “It's important to balance both academics and athletics,” she said. “Full effort should be put into both if you want success. A student athlete should be successful both on and off the court.” ![]() By Dave Merchant [email protected] PKSA Karate in Allen Park will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary next year. They have classes Monday - Saturday morning and evening classes They are getting close to 150 students. Tonya Germain is one of the people who runs the program. This year they expanded into the building next to them and renovated their old building. PKSA now hosts classes on two separate floors which allows them to offer additional class times. This year Master Germain, the head instructor, was awarded #1 instructor in all of PKSA (across 43 locations). Master Germain is the Technical Advisor and Program developer for PKSA Corporation and Director of Child Development. Master Germain had 9 individual students that were selected for the Tang Soo Do United States World Team and Demonstration team that traveled to Paris, France and London, England, where they took first place in Team Forms and Demonstration show. Master Germain is a 3 time World Champion and has hosted as coach for the past two teams. “PKSA Allen Park has some of the Best Instructors from Young adults to Senior Citizens and is involved in supporting our community with demonstrations, community service and bully seminars, and we also host many drives for the homeless, Thanksgiving and cleaning our community,” Tonya Germain said. “We also have a cute program called Little Ninjas which is for children 3-5 years of age,” she said. “This program addresses focus and other life skills while teaching them martial arts in a fun atmosphere.” The owners and staff are very excited to celebrate our 3rd year of Spectrum Fitness which is Adaptive exercise for Special Needs. This year they are celebrating the kick off of their new Senior Martial Arts Program which is called Golden Dragons. Mention this article and get a free week of classes for any of their programs. |